Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. press release, December 16, 1997

( 1 407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 21093 Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. MEWS FROM Second Congressional District of Maryland 315 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 1 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 16, 1997 CONTACT: Richard Cross 202-225-3061 EHRLICH PUSHES BILL TO PREVENT ILLEGAL SHIPMENT OF ALCOHOL SOLD TO KIDS ONLINE Congressman Bob Ehrlich (R-2nd., MD) is pushing federal legislation which will make it more difficult for minors to purchase alcoholic beverages over the Internet. Illegal sales of beer, wine, and distilled spirits over the Internet or through direct mail have blossomed into a $1 billion business. As a result, licensed wholesalers and retailers are losing business; state governments are losing between $200 and $400 million in tax revenues each year; and minors are buying alcohol simply by logging onto their computers. “The advent of the Internet has opened up many possibilities,” Congressman Ehrlich stated. “One of its unhappier consequences is that any teenager with access to someone’s credit card number and a PC can purchase alcoholic beverages.” Ehrlich cited a recent sting operation conducted by the New York State’s Attorney’s Office which uncovered 12 wine and liquor distributors which allegedly delivered alcohol to minors without demanding proof of age. Because of deficiencies in current law, Ehrlich noted, state regulators are often powerless to deal with this problem. States have authority to regulate the sale, purchase, and consumption of alcoholic beverages pursuant to the Twenty-First Amendment to the U. S. Constitution. While existing federal law prohibits the shipment of alcoholic beverages in violation of state law, it